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Our WORST FEAR Sailing Offshore is Realized - We COLLIDE With A Huge UFO at Night [Ep. 71]

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One of our biggest fears sailing across oceans is sinking out at sea, along with pirates, lightning, and injury. We hear about boats hitting containers and whales out in the middle of nowhere. We run out of luck 1000 miles from shore and strike a UFO mid ocean during our second transatlantic bluewater crossing.
#sailing #yacht #collision
More about us at www.sweetruca.com
After having a collision with a whale in the middle of the night, we have to get in the water mid ocean and inspect the damage to the rudder.
So who is this crazy sailing couple making fun videos to share? Well, we are Kate and Curtis. We both sold up and headed out to sea, with the goal of sailing around the world via Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. We brought our mixed rescue dog along with us as she loves sailing and swimming too!
Our boat is a year 2000 J Boats J/46. We searched for 3 years for our perfect sailboat for sale, when we found it, we knew it was the one. We spent 6 months re-fitting it in Rhode Island and then went for our shakedown voyage in Maine. We stopped in Annapolis for a bit to do some more refit work and offshore modifications, then we set off to the open sea. We went to the Bahamas, Miami, US Virgin Islands, BVI, Grenada, Carriacou, St. Maarten, where we enjoyed outdoor adventures, scuba diving, and have now did an Atlantic Crossing to the Azores where we had a chance to fly our DJI drone (and learned how to fly a drone from a boat) and one of our favorite past times, mountain biking. After leaving the Azores we sailed to Tenerife. From there we have left on a huge voyage, transatlantic again, this time to South America as we head for our goal of rounding cape horn to enter the pacific ocean. We have sailed over 10,000 bluewater miles to date.
We watched other sailing channels before we left as well. We even considered van life, a tiny home, or a motorhome / RV. Some of the channels we enjoyed were Gone with the Wynns, Project Atticus, and MJ Sailing. We didn't really set out to be influencers, but we wanted to return the good karma and pass our inspiration and knowledge along.
Enough of this, we hope you enjoy our relaxing video on #sailingsunday!
XO XO Sailing Sweet Ruca - Kate, Curtis & Roxy
Music from Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicso...

Опубликовано:

24 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 537

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Thanks for watching & sailing along with us! To see repairs to the damage as a result of the collision check out Episode 87 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9vdcZLhIpf0.html and Episode 88 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9Ex-FZ8tpY8.html Of course you will miss some beautiful ocean sailing and a few wonderful places we stopped at in Brazil if you skip ahead 🙂

@gregsutton2400 Год назад

Glad this turned ok, good thing you were going so slow. Think about that rudder if you were going 10.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

We agree. At normal speeds we sail this could have been a major disaster.

@kkots 2 года назад

That is some scary sh*t! I'm so glad you guys weren't ripping along as usual....just glad you're safe!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks @Ken K. Yes, super glad we were not doing 10+ with the kite up at that moment!

@williamjones3462 2 года назад

Having seen logs, barrels and containers, it could have been a number of other things. I would fear hitting a container because the corners can make a large hole. Thank God you did not have catastrophic damage.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

We like the sleeping whale theory. Maybe a large tree? Whatever it was, we will never know. It must have been "softer" than the fiberglass (which we were very thankful for) but with enough mass to spin and lift the boat. Agree, probaby not a container as no jagged gouges, that would be very bad!

@ralphholiman7401 2 года назад

That's why we always sailed with double or triple reefed main at night and never tried to go over about three knots. Because, we didn't want to hit anything going any faster than that. We've just sailed close by too many things in the daytime, that I wouldn't want to hit at night going seven or eight knots.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi ralph :-) That is very cautious and prudent seamanship, good on ya'. Whatever this was, 7 or 8 knots of speed would have been really bad! Stay safe!!!

@hanknaclek9747 Год назад

Hitting something at sea is pretty scary, we collided with a large whale about 200 miles from Aus on our way home to NZ. Thought we'd collided with a trawler ,luckily we were 4mm steel so the whale came off worse. The rest of the pod came to it and lifted out of the water so it could breath in what's known as 'the Maugarite Formation'. I turned on the depth sounder to make some sort of sound and snuck away.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Wow! Thanks for sharing that story! Definitely not a fun time to hit things, especially if it causes serious damage. Fair winds and stay safe out there!

@markus717 Год назад

Sailors should deploy some kind of sonar as a whale-warning device. Can depth sounders be set to a low power mode?

@GaryLaaks1 2 года назад

Friend of my dads hit a floating container many years ago off the South African east coast. They started taking on water. They were saved by a SA Airforce helicopter in some rough waters. Yaght had to be blown up and sunk as it was in a busy water way. Glad you guys had a much better outcome.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

WOW! Holy smokes Gary, that is some scary stuff. Thankfully he was rescued. So sad to hear about the boat's fate. That had to be devastating.

@johnshaw8327 Год назад

Heading to Australia from Ventura Ca in 2013 we hit a lot of small stuff from the Japanese tsunami 2 years before. A few of the Transpac boats had been damaged a couple of weeks before. Our boat was a cold molded wooden boat 25mm thick, guess we got lucky. We saw the debris for a few hours. It's best not to think too much about hitting containers etc, drives you crazy especially if you're by yourself. I've had many occasions when I start wondering why am I thinking about a container, is it because there's one just ahead? then go and check up at the bow and peer into the night. Your mind goes round and round in circles and there's no escape. Eventually you just give up and get ready to die at any moment if that's your destiny as there's nothing you can do about it. I hate that feeling.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Thanks for the tips. We definitely know that feeling now more than ever. Thanks again for sharing the story.

@gl2856 2 года назад

Just caught up on this video, just pleased you’re both ok , let’s hope the damage is not too serious. Must be a nightmare sailing at night in bad weather , you did well keeping it together. 👍

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi g l! :-) We will share more details about the damage in the future, but luckily we could sail on! We are pretty used to the dark and weather these days, it does take some getting used to for sure!!

@woodiicarr7423 2 года назад

I recommend inspection ports for rudder and keel...

@KevCampbell 2 года назад

Nice job covering what I’m sure was a very stressful event. The underwater footage was a cool addition and helped understand what information you had available for on the spot decision making.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks Kevin! It was definitely stressful waiting until daylight to check the outside of the hull. Thanks for the comment! 😊 Picking up the camera was not easy..

@sheireland3737 2 года назад

We iWe y

@kylekayser2291 2 года назад

A close family friend was an experienced sailor that had circumnavigated many times. His sailboat was sunk on purpose by pilot whales him and his wife spent 53 days at sea in a raft. He wrote a book about it called our last chance. There are old charts that mark the location this happened with warnings for whales attacking boats.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Wow that's crazy. Thanks for sharing the story. That's the risk we take. We are very lucky.

@MilesCobbett Год назад

Read Jonathon Swifts book Tale of A Tub. British Sailors carried empty wooden barrels on board to toss off for whales to play with instead of whales playing with their wooden planks vessels and creaking leaky planks

@Tomm9y 2 года назад

Having been on a boat hit an identifiable object offshore at night, it was nerve wracking. You were 8 days out, a long way from anything. Kate did really well to give such a clear update so soon after the event. In the event of losing the rudder/breaking the shaft a watertight bulkhead forward of the rudder post area would be a vital to maintain hull integrity. I'd much rather be in a disabled boat than in a liferaft, especially so far from help.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hello BM! We couldn't agree more. Would love to add a watertight bulkhead. Maybe this incident will give us the time to do that. I'm glad you could understand my update through my shaky voice! I still can't believe the wind dropped just then, and you are definitely right about the nerve wracking feelings, especially so far offshore! Hopefully neither of us has to experience that again!

@sanfranciscobay 2 года назад

3:28 Big Tree Logs fall into Rivers and get washed to Sea, then drift with currents for years.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

We've had a run in with one of these as well, but it happen to be in a canal 😬

@stubby2822 2 года назад

Good video. This should bring out all the internet detectives to help figure this one out. Glad you all are safe. I would think if you hit anything metal it would have left severe gouges in the paint and fiber glass. Only puzzling part for me is how the back side of the rudder was damaged. Yall keep having fun and stay safe.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks stubby! Thats what we think also. We now know why the back of the rudder was damaged, but it took us a while to figure it out.

@shezhay180 Год назад

That’s our boat sinking at the start of your video! We got hit by a sunfish!!! Glad you didn’t take on any water 💦

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

WOW! What a small world. We are glad you are safe. That had to be a terrifying experience. Are you back out sailing? Do you have a website or sailing channel to follow you as well? Sounds like our collisions to the rudder were similar. We did end up taking on some water months later from a small crack made by the impact that was difficult to find. Hopefully when we make it to your neck of the woods we can stop and say hello! Cheers!

@robertgrennan2824 Год назад

Hit a sunfish on a 94 ft tug off coast of California, didn't see it sunning on the top of the water, it was huge and ended up almost stopping two massive 4 blade kort nozzle wheels with 4000 HP, by the time I felt and heard the engines bog down , the body of the fish went thru the wheels all there was was blood and fish pieces all around the vessel, the engines never fully stopped and we gained our rpm's back and kept going. Pretty crazy though, if we were a fiberglass vessel I can't imagine !

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Always something to hit in the ocean 😬

@ronaldpellet854 Год назад

I can understand your adrenaline rush. I’d be the same way once yours get life jackets that’s sort of panicky and I’d deal with it but once all seems ok. No leakage. That’s when it would totally fill me of what just happened including replaying in my mind over and over. Lol

@forestgrump2168 2 года назад

you should tie off if you are going in the water while the boat is under way, even slowly.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks Forest :-)

@leighcecil3322 2 года назад

yes know how you feel... I've had hairy experience's at sea... take care may U be safe 🙏🇦🇺

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Glad you're safe, too! That's living I guess! Many thanks

@rainfinger 2 года назад

You handled the bump-in-the-night very well, sharing it on video. We had a bump crossing the Pacific, luckily our Dufour 35 was well made and did not let any water in. I am looking forward to your cruise down the Brazilian Coast to the Rio del Plata. Are you going to call in Punta del Estes, reportedly a favorite port for the old Whitbread Sailors.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi Rauf! How are you this week? Thanks! Glad you made it through the pacific unscathed, lots of stuff floating out there. We do hope to stop in Uruguay, some friends of ours are there now ans say it is nice.

@marycollins1631 2 года назад

There are bound to be scary events out at sea. Wishing many more safe voyages... stay safe.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thank you for the well wishes Mary!! :-)

@clarkkent772 2 года назад

With the back top corner of the rudder damaged, by a forward moving strike, it means the rudder flexed enough for the back of the rudder to ram the hull. Bringing into question the condition of the rudder shaft and hull support. REDUCE SAIL AND HEAD FOR THE NEAREST SAFE HARBOR‼️

@jimbobschell 2 года назад

Hey Superman, where do you think the nearest safe harbor was from their reported position of 8.5°N x 23 °W? I assume Natal. This was a great video and I am happy to know they got somewhere safely.

@rickkwitkoski1976 2 года назад

they stopped in Brazil they had to get special clearance

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

This is good and CORRECT ADVICE! Thank you Clark for sharing for others if they ever encounter this!!!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks Jim!!!! You are correct also. At the time the easy angles Africa were not a great option for yachts and with possible damage, we did not want to sail upwind into the trades. We are also prepared for this risk, to sail rudderless, etc. Continuing with the trades and closer to shipping lanes seemed the best option for us after an inner hull, bulkhead, keel bolt, and rudder inspection (we didn't film any of this as cameras were the least of our concern at the time).

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi Rick! You get the super slueth award this week ;-)

@peterb4620 2 года назад

Kate you did an amazing job keeping it together when the adrenaline was pumping and all sorts of thoughts are rushing through your mind in those immediate moments. You are both great sailors and more importantly a great team. So natural and easy to watch. So glad you are putting these videos together and sharing with us. Looking forward to the unfolding adventure. 💕P&J

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hey thanks Peter and Jennene and welcome aboard once again! It was definitely hard to keep it together, but I wanted to give my raw reaction as close to the incident after we figured it was safe to do so. Glad you are appreciating the content! Some weeks are harder than others 😊

@rogerreyes5947 2 года назад

Glad you were there to inspect the bottom for your guy that did not want to get in the water apparently or stop the boats so you could do a proper inspection.

@PaulPatrickRogueMissionary 2 года назад

That would freak me out as well. Great job keeping your wits about you Kate, and Curtis I liked how you were steady in reminding Kate to record everything. Glad y'all are safe.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks Paul!!! Great to hear from you. Hope you have been well!!! Cheers!!!!

@jojobaker1764 2 года назад

This what I get for watching you guys sail around the world ..you've got me to where I worry about you guys ..stay safe..

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Awww. Don't Worry JOJO, we will stay safe! Promise :-)

@VeganV5912 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca

@allmomomosthomebus3895 2 года назад

I'm watching this while wearing my Hella Mega concert T-shirt for Green Day, FOB, and Weezer. You were playing that Green Day song in this one, and singing Africa in another episode... which Weezer covers. Wondering if you guys went to the same concert tour?

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

We did not but we share a similar taste in music! Haha what a fun moment of coincidence. Thanks for sharing 😁

@brainwaiver1 2 года назад

Hit something hard in the middle of the night south of Haiti in '79. Gave us a nasty sinking feeling.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Woof! Scary stuff, and back then, no EPIRBs or SAT Phones. Hope all turned out well!

@xtransam9970 2 года назад

Everything that could go wrong it always happened at night, and when it is raining, glad that you are doing well, thank for sharing your sailing experiences, the life os sailing......like seeing you playing the guitar.....

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks xtransam! Glad you enjoyed the guitar playing and video(s). We are fortunate that we get to share our experiences with you! And certainly the night did not help as we couldn't see anything in the rain! At least the wind let us right then 👍🏻😬

@camielkotte Год назад

It gives us an idea of what humanity is doing to this planet

@woodiicarr7423 2 года назад

OEX was owned by my best friend! I've sailed many a competition nautical mile with him...

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Wow! Small world! It was such an awesome boat and sad ending for her, but glad everyone made it safely to Hawaii! A Transpac is high up on our bucket list!

@MK-gr9qz 2 года назад

Hero, Picking up the camera and invite us, amazing, thank you guys 🤟🏋🏻‍♀️

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Welcome aboard M K!!! :-)

@sullybiker6520 2 года назад

It amazes how it's such a big space and the odds are so long, and yet yachts hit stuff fairly frequently. Still, you got through it and all is okay. Hopefully that's your bad luck out of the way.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Agree completely

@a.jacobson2932 2 года назад

The weird wave part of the collision makes me think whale fluke. I think you hit a whale. Especially since there was no real damage. The barnacles probably were the cause of the strange paint scuffs. You guys got lucky. 😀

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

We got lucky to complete the trick, but unfortunately there was some real damage, but you'll have to keep watching! Barnacles is a good theory!

@TroyaE117 2 года назад

I have always been a devotee of the long-keeled sailboat. I am a little cautious of deep-fin keels, exposed props and spade rudders. They are more vulnerable. Long keels have less performance but they are less vulnerable. The long-keel will heave-to a little better, too. Long-keel is king. Fair winds !

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

To each their own 😀 fair winds indeed!

@markthomasson5077 Год назад

Or just stern hung rudder

@highnotesailing5843 2 года назад

Every offshore sailor's worst nightmare. Near the end of 2018 Newport Bermuda one night there was report of a large partially submerged structure right near the fleet. It caused a lot of anxiety to say the least. I'm planning a transatlantic race in 2025 with my Baltic 51. Collision is my worst fear. At night, we sail with our radar on. But its the stuff just below that is scary. You guys did well with no panic! I've enjoyed your channel.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi High Note :-) We dig the logo!!! Scary stuff for sure, at least racing other boats are around, but still you can't reall slow down either! Good luck in the race, we will have to follow along!!! If you have time to do watertight bulkheads in the Baltic, it may be worth the peace of mind. Smart about the radar, we do as well. A lot of times in dual range mode (short and long). Uses some battery, but cheap insurance! Cheers!!!!

@highnotesailing5843 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca Thanks for the logo praise. My wife and I came up with it with the help of a talented designer in Newport. I love the new B&G radar. The dual range is a huge improvement and it doesn't kill the batteries like the old systems. I am going to make a watertight bulkhead up forward. The anchor fore peak already has a fiberglass tabbed bulkhead separating it from the V berth. There are a few penetrations for plumbing and electric but those can be sealed. It is my aft compartments I worry about where my rudder post is. It is very difficult to access and if we had flooding there, it would be difficult or impossible to deal with. I've enjoyed your channel because you guys are real sailors and are not just fumbling around! I do like helping people to learn also. I had Bums on a Boat with me to Bermuda last summer.

@stonetoolcompany3649 2 года назад

I agree that spade rudders are not “seaworthy” for a voyaging boat. In an impact they can easily have a shaft failure, and are nearly impossible to fix at sea. A fair number of boats have been abandoned at sea from rudder failure. A metal shaft is going to bend, jamming the system, often holding the boat yawed to one side such that a jury steering system cannot overcome the force it exerts. The only cure is if possible to jettison the rudder downward if even possible, then do a jury rig of some sort. The abandoned cat Rainmaker is the classic case…..sliding backward I believe, the rudder(s) was / were fully deflected, and bent. I would not want to make a transoceanic passage in such a boat without a plan to deal with this.

@RodFleming-World 2 года назад

Agreed

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

We think it is seaworthy, lots of boats with spades make it around the world. Every boat is a comprimise. You are not wrong about the steel shafts.

@RodFleming-World 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca you (and others in similar situations) might consider a forward-looking sonar. There's a few on the market, some under $1k. Sounds like reasonable insurance.

@kylek2794 2 года назад

Ask Bob Perry. He states that most skegs are held on by the rudder! And I would also consider the multiple instances of Malos with partial skegs that have their hulls breached by collisions or grounding against the skeg.

@RodFleming-World 2 года назад

@@kylek2794 I think it depends on the skeg. Some of the vestigial ones appear more or less decorative and I doubt if they help at all. But in the end, nothing is as protective as a full keel, but that means compromises in sailing agility as well as reducing the pool of available boats pretty radically. Personally, I like a full keel with a cutaway forefoot; they handle well enough, since it's the underwater profile forward of the mast that most affects tacking. But that doesn't mean they're perfect, it's just my preference.

@petec9686 2 года назад

THIS is why a full keel boat will always be THE boat for blue water. Yea, Chassing Lattitudes, I’m talking to you!!!! 😀

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Horses for courses. We like pretty much all boats, and like people every one is different. For us the preference is speed to give flexibility in routing and the pure enjoyment of sailing itself.

@MilesCobbett Год назад

I can hear your dogs panting & concern when you were in the water checking out your rudder damage.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Roxy tries to be a lifeguard :-)

@DarrenMalin 2 года назад

the worst thing we have thank god nearly hit was a mine, yes naval mine , a big spiky ball ! we did not even see it until it was along side us. This was in the Mediterranean of all places. We reported it to windy station on Gibraltar , they were not even surprised, They said they come from the black sea and break free and drift down though the med. 10 feet to the left and it would have been BOOM.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

OMG! That is scary!!!!!

@deborahdoyle6743 Год назад

That would be very scary. At first I thought you were in the wind shadow of another boat but you definitely got hit underwater.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Lots of living and non-living things in the ocean!

@garyconway1073 2 года назад

its not a testament to the rudder, you just had a stroke of GOOD FORTUNE. I personally never cruise on a fin keel like that.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Could be, the rudder and shaft are designed to withstand a collision or hard grounding though. What we hit had significant mass. We will take good fortune to the bank any day though. To each their own regarding preference of design.

@chawnadams9648 Год назад

Have had a big hammerhead shark knock my 14000lb sailboat around while anchored at night in the fl keys. My keel was only 2ft from the bottom so probably just swimming along and didn't even see my keel. And probably got a headache since my keel was solid lead and was going a good pace to make the boat sway back and forth.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

That is a pretty awesome story. We can only imagine the visual when you looked over the side! Crazy!!!

@SailingPantera Год назад

Glad you guys are alright. There's is so much junk around this part of the coast lots of huge debris much bigger than my boat as I was bombing it down from canaries to Dakar. Now currently in Gambia will stay for 1 year then head out to Cape verde. The trash is a massive concern doesn't matter how fast your going it can seriously end you passage fast.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Hi SV Pantera! Scary stuff! Sounds like you had a good rip of a passage through there also! Not much can be done but cross your fingers and hope for the best. We are working on the episode this week where we finally cut into and repair the damage.

@SailingPantera Год назад

@@SailingSweetRuca yeah exactly when you see the trash in day light your worried but at night your less worried I find when your flying through it but in the back of your mind you remember how big some of the trash was which brings that level of concern back again. Its exhausting especially hand steering all the way. Need match sticks for the eyes. Happy recording will check it out. 👍🏿

@clarencebirdashaw8117 Год назад

You are a sweetie. And you're so brave. I think you can Relax. And enjoy the ride.❤

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Thanks Clarence!

@harryecke5399 Год назад

When there is so much fear, why do You stress Yourself sailing? -Leads to selfullfilling prophecy

@jonb4722 2 года назад

Hmm, I have a twin keel boat, although I do have a skeg rudder. Just thinking about that...On the plus side, it doesn't go very fast !

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Cool! Another plus is it won't tip over if the tide goes out too far!

@brokinarrow1 2 года назад

If you lose your rudder completely you should probably let someone know immediately what your dealing with along with exact position,wind speed ,direction etc. just in case things go from bad to worst.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Great advice! We were prepared to pass that information.

@EdwardTilley 2 года назад

There should be a collision notification service for Maritimers. GPS coordinates of the strike, sea state, time, etc. is all valuable data. Every city does this same record keeping for accidents, and its important at sea as well.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

That is a great idea Edward! You have got the wheels turning :-)

@thewizardsofthezoo5376 2 года назад

Unless you tag the object once spotted it's hard to predict how it's going to move.

@nortonmolly 2 года назад

When you were in the water, did you have the thought. Does he really love me?

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hahahaha!

@gookumpucky4842 Год назад

Run 40 ft. Line out of he back in case you let go when swimming in while underway

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Thanks. There is a line but not quite 40 feet. Longer is better though for sure. Just have to remember to pull it up before the motor comes on

@Paul-ou1rx 2 года назад

He keeps volunteering you for going overboard.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Haha I noticed that, too 🤔

@csabameyer5598 Год назад

Maybe you found that container that fell of my ship :-). Glad you OK

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Hahahahaha! :-)

@jonnorousseau3096 2 года назад

This is exactly why I bought a steel boat, no keel to hull joint or bolts and a welded skeg, not for everyone though, but I don't have that worry

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Totally understandable!

@philipfisher5168 2 года назад

In an interview with the guy who designed the Kraken 50 boat, he describes taking the prototype out for a sail. The boat just stopped dead, sending everyone flying, then carried on. Minimal damage. He guesses it was a whale

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Oh wow! We are with you Phillip.

@philipfisher5168 2 года назад

Thank you! I'm in a horrible nadir in my life but have had a surge of live giving positivity coming up with a three year plan to get a sailing boat, learn to sail, and go all over. Hopefully as a decent versatile guitarist I'm hoping busking will keep me going financially. I m experiencedr in uk but not do much abroad. Any thoughts maybe? Subbed to you..see you out there!

@thewizardsofthezoo5376 2 года назад

Always have some Splash Zone with you on those long journeys.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Excellent advise!

@mboyer68 Год назад

Don't worry about pirates, they've all entered the US across the southern border. Lightning is my number one fear. I remember the first time I was far away from civilization on the water, I've never seen dark that dark. Couldn't see my hand in front of my face. It was summer, in the 70s, the water was warm so things weren't too scary! But I was scared, it was creepy, unnerving I guess. Pirates are number two fear, especially around the Caribbean where they seem to have better equipment and shorter distances. Thank you for posting awesome video, keep living our dream!

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Cheers Mike! Your first sentence gave us a good chuckle! We agree lightning is a major concern!

@walterhoward5686 2 года назад

I must be a complete odd ball, I would have been in the water at first light if not sooner . I never get in the water offshore without my fins ! And if your boat is in real danger of taking on water and sinking dump the inflatable life jacket for a real life jacket ! Have fun people.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

The wave state was not great for swimming, and there was not any water entry inside. So not much to do other than continue. Stopping would only add more time at sea. Where would we go if the boat was disabled? Upwind into 25 knot trades, not a good idea with potential rudder damage? Known pirate areas off of Africa, not exactly the place for yacht services? Well out of helicopter range, so might as well head toward shipping lanes and anyway.

@S.JerseyJim 2 года назад

You guys are nuts. Good luck.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thank you and thank you 😁

@michaelswift9340 Год назад

Thanks

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

You're welcome!

@markus717 Год назад

Sailors should deploy some kind of sonar as a whale-warning device, so the whales can avoid us. Otherwise, sailboats are too silent. Can depth sounders be set to a low power mode?

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Hi Markus! That is a good idea!

@mrnobody5381 Год назад

You should get a decent pair of night vision goggles, even the digital ones are good nowadays. These UFOs, i have noticed, give off alot of infrared spectrum light. Light you can't see with the naked eye.

@rickcahoon9661 2 года назад

Curious, first, why didn't you just drop the main and stop the boat for the inspection. Lacking that, why did you not tie a lashing to Kate in case she lost her grip?

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

We did stop the boat (the hit stopped it for us) as we inspected right at the time of the incident. Don't worry I was tied when I went off the side. Off the transom, we were trailing a line and in the process of slowing.

@kgladie 2 года назад

Great episode you guys. I’m glad you guys are safe and getting everything sorted out.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks @KGladie!

@MonkPetite 2 года назад

One lesson to be taken along .. be prepared and slow down at night. A nice tool for the bad weather is radar .. it will tell you how big the squall is and how much rain.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Right on Monk!

@timelwell7002 Год назад

I'm glad you guys are OK. I have to admit that for me, a boat with a steel hull, or perhaps and aluminium hull, would be preferrable, because of the inate strength. UFO = Unidentified Floating Object (as distinct from flying object)...

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

There are safer boats. There is always something better. But one has to make choices within terms budget, availability, and performance. For us the Sweet Ruca was the right boat at the right time. If we won the lottery that would change things.

@timelwell7002 Год назад

@@SailingSweetRuca Well, I hope you guys remain safe. You're not just doing coastal sailing here, and the dangers of getting into trouble whilst in mid-ocean are obviously greater than they would be for people who are less adventurous. I follow the journeys of Sailing Yatch Florence on You Tube, and the design of their boat is clearly more robust than is yours. Anyway, best wishes and stay safe.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Thanks for the well wishes Tim. Once again, tradeoffs. Their boat is considerably slower. In just a few hours we would be over their horizon. For every 1,000 miles sailed, they would likely be at least 24 hours behind us. For example a 1,000 mile run to the Falklands/Malvinas a full day or more is a huge difference when talking 3-4 day weather windows between systems with deep lows. On a long passage they could be over a week behind, putting them in a completely different weather cycle with no escape. This is hard for non-experts in that department to grasp, so the default is to sail old and heavy tanks down the rumb line. Also, FYI, solid fiberglass is not more robust by default, that is an old wives tale, steel rusts, and aluminium is costly to purchase and difficult to repair in remote places and can corrode as well. That said, if we had the funds we would buy a slightly larger aluminium or carbon fiber boat with significantly more safety features. If you would like us to get another boat, there is a place called Patreon where contributions can be made ;-) Sailors make the boat, not the other way around. We could cross an ocean in a Hobie Cat or Melges 24 if we wanted to. We can also chat about keels falling off of Oysters and how the Titanic was made of steel and unsinkable.

@franksmith3602 2 года назад

When inspecting after a impact always be tied off. If you slip, the boats steering might have been damaged. Who on board left with no way to turn around and pick you up. Also, drop a line on the bow... let it out till you see it in the water at the stern. ( yes motor and prop off.). Tie off the line, now when your just free diving with a mask, you can pull your self under the hull quickly. And much faster. Do you know what happens, when your boat sinks... you go buy a new one.. and watch your sunk boat on you tube...hahaha,

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi Frank :-) You're not wrong!

@franksmith3602 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca Haha, hey surf a channel called " captain Q " old guy sailed his whole life now in his ? 80s, he hunts down cherry picks of older boats. East coast up north. Many are wood. But they have been used very little. Owned by Doctors in Boston area used only maybe a few months a year then stored . Many in MEGA boat shed on the hard.. his yachts are like classic, all kinds but cheap. 200k, and less, most less than 80k. From 29 feet to 62 feet mona hulls or cats. Check it out,

@marinoholguin Год назад

I was browsing replies trying not to repeat comments. You are just right on point. Only thing I would add is to lower the sails and try to stop to motion of the boat. Offshore, only 2 souls on board, thing can go sour really fast...

@franksmith3602 Год назад

@@marinoholguin your right. And adding hitting anything at sea at night. Freaks the living shit out of everyone. I've learned, doing drills. Even charter guests, knowing what they should do. Taking on water sucks. My only, thought on jumping to soon on taking down the sails. Yes, lossen, lines, yes get her into the wind. But, heres why.. you, races and tie off the line under the yacht, race and have your mask, light ect ect. And you see, the holes to big to patch. Water filling, you get everyone on the hand pumps. Someone on the radio. May day, scanning, charts, asap, looking for 1, a beach to sculley her. 2, sand bars 3, with the sails still up, you have a chance, to motor to shallow water, boat could be a loss. But better to have a wreaked boat to sit on than swimming for it. Or getting blowen out to who knows where in a life raft. It's a captains, call. Can he, lock down the water tight doors, can he make it to the next little island, with all pumps at 110% , under moter.. I've got a few story's, going thru Morocco, and Spain, straights, been shot at so many times, everyone had to hide on one side, as the other was riddled with holes. Haha, true story.

@marinoholguin Год назад

@@franksmith3602 I agree with you, but I feel I just need to clarify that my comment was with regard of going into the water. They made sure there was no water ways,and that the hull has kept it's integrity to some extent (they made it up to Brazil), and they waited for the best conditions to go diving to inspect. In other words, shorthanded, in the middle of an ocean, you just don't get in the water untied and from a moving vessel, unless it is absolutely necessary.

@isonlynameleft 2 года назад

Watching her get in the water woooo scared the s*** out of me! Sitting here thinking about all the things that can go wrong 😬

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Have to overcome a lot of fears to go sailing and diving. Heights, small spaces, sharks, unknown, etc ;-) Overcoming those is the path to freedom.

@keithlittlebury2986 2 года назад

Me too. her legs trailing in the water 😱. couldn't wait for her to get out

@AddAdventures 2 года назад

Such an adventure. Great video. Hope your boat isn't too banged up.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks Mark!!

@spaceace9680 2 года назад

god bless ! I worry the bump in the night created a compression of the material under the fiberglass + compromised the structural unity of the keel - but pray I am wrong - nice music choice - greetings from South Louisiana

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi Space Ace! We were worried about that also. Lots to learn in future episodes. We didn't escape free and clear, but the boat handled it very well.

@iansenior9759 Год назад

Unidentified Floating Object. Steel containers Floating beneath the surface?

@stevenk8189 2 года назад

My biggest fear... Being in the water in the middle of the ocean. And you did right that. Thanks for the nightmares.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Sorry 😬 new nightmares for us too 🤦‍♀️

@nealchristensen1793 2 года назад

Dealing with the unknown is not alway comforting.But going really fast across the ocean is amazing it alway taking that chance the adrenaline if flowing, Thank god you were be watched over and protected ! You two are amazing real life sailing ! Thank you !

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Right on Neal! Thank you!

@Ian-dl2rf Год назад

Well they do say ufos come from the sea not the sky...

@sliznippa Год назад

Keep it together. 🤙🏻

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Thanks Chris! Will do 👍

@jamiemorton1765 2 года назад

It was probably one of the red buoys that check for tsunami

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Might have made a different sound if it was metal but I suppose it could be!

@waynocook53 Год назад

What a story!

@freebird1ification 2 года назад

yep the way those container ships move in the sea one could hit and sink you and never know you were there cause there so giant

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Those things are HUGE! We try to stay far away from them :-)

@TheOtherSideoftheHill Год назад

I hear the pup panting anxious mom is in the water

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

We arent sure if she is anxious or jealous to be honest 😂

@slickwillie3376 2 года назад

There needs to be some kind of pinger device that would warn whales a boat is coming. Another thing I'm looking into is integrating a forward looking sonar into a boat, sort of like an automatic collision avoidance mechanism.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

That would be super cool! Let us know what you find out about sonar :-)

@nonyayet1379 2 года назад

yea, that'd get a sailors attention.... when do you hope to cross cap horn? I'm curious

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi non. :-) We hope to in the next southern summer.

@nonyayet1379 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca same here. of course why i was asking... I'll be in touch.. owe ya'll a hand shake anyhow.

@stevehogan8829 2 года назад

Yes, so glad you were going that slow. Could easily have been worse. Good job

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi Steve! Thanks! :-)

@sydshuler1941 Год назад

Wow,,Amazing!

@Dave-SailsAway 2 года назад

And all in the pitch black. Frightening.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Definitely my real voice shaking in the beginning 😬

@Shadofx 2 года назад

You hit a flying object? 😂🤣👍

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

'Floating' 😁🌊

@kylejazwiecki714 2 года назад

That's a scary situation! Looks like you both handled it as well as possible! Just conjecture, but assuming it was a whale, I wonder if the rain played a role? I'm not a whale biologist or underwater audiologist, but I know whales rely on sound for information. I would bet the rain drowns out the sound of the boat underwater (especially with no engine running). Maybe the whale was just as surprised as you were! All things considered, this could have been much worse. Glad you three are OK!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

That seems to be a good theory regarding the whale and sounds. We didn't think of that.

@777rogerf 2 года назад

Are there orcas in this region. They have been known to ram and sink boats as well as attach rudders.

@williambanning3742 2 года назад

What a scary event im very happy you both are ok stay safe my friends

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thank you William!

@f.torrinha3109 6 месяцев назад

Orcas have recently been very active attacking sailing boats along the coast of Portugal, mostly aiming rudders, apparently for fun 😮(?) That is what happened to you, for sure!

@f.torrinha3109 6 месяцев назад

btw, it's "killer whales" in english

@SailingSweetRuca 4 месяца назад

You may be right about this! We will never know for sure as it happened in the night and we saw nothing.

@bossman5289 2 года назад

Glad you guys are okay🙏💝🙏

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks boss man!!!! Diggin' the screen name BTW :-)

@Outrageousconduct 2 года назад

On a crossing to the azores we brushed up against a container about 150 NM west of Horta ,we went over the side and found it scrapped the entire length of our boat ,the sound was scary to hear (steel hull)

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Scary stuff for sure J K! You guys had to be really glad to have a steely at that moment!!!

@Outrageousconduct 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca it absolutely was

@thewizardsofthezoo5376 2 года назад

I'd go back and pay myself with the content.

@jameshoiby 2 года назад

My first thought was that the rudder probably got hit from the front, not the rear, so if it was hit in the front in such a way that paint was knocked off the top rear, there could have been some really interesting (i.e. expensive) forces at work during the collision. For example, did the rudder shaft flex so that the top rear rudder struck the hull? There could be all sorts of strain damage inside the rudder if it bent and hit that way!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

You are right on James!!! Lots more on all of this in future episodes. The grinder will come out eventually, and..... ;-)

@tatman8240 2 года назад

Wow man!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Cheers tatman!

@tatman8240 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca Hold fast y'all.

@artistzmagazine885 2 года назад

Your boat look very fast! What Brandt and model you have! Thanks for the delightful image and quality of the music ambiance. Feel really like we are sailling with you two!

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hi! Glad you enjoyed. You can learn all about the boat here sweetruca.com/about-the-boat/

@jurgenblick5491 2 года назад

Done that in Mexico

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Glad you are OK also!

@dumpjeep 2 года назад

The #1 rule of offshore is that you should never take a multi-hull because they have no self-righting ability. A simple knockdown and its all over. I won't even get on those death traps inshore.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Hello Dreadnought! We think every boat has their pros and cons. Horses for courses. We do enjoy passing the production multis in our monohull :-) Like land based vehicles, each type is better for certain uses and preferences. We wouldn't shy away from a good multihull, they are safe if sailed properly. As a bonus, they aren't carrying around enough lead to sink the boat, usually they will float even if flipped or holed.

@pauleohl 2 года назад

It is much more comfortable to be in the water with mask, fins and snorkel, especially if there is a task to do. I swim for exercise and pleasure and always use my mask, training fins and Head brand snorkel which has a very ergonomic/comfortable mouthpiece. I swam 1 1.2 miles this AM.....and am 80 y/o. I use hand paddles, which are not useful if there is a task to do, like take pictures.

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

Wow cool! Thanks for sharing

@jimydoolittle3129 2 года назад

Careful out there guy ⛵️ 🙏🏻

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Will do Jimmy. Thanks guy ☺️

@frankbalazs8816 Год назад

WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU PUT YOURSELF IN THIS SITUATION!!! THE OCEAN IS SO DANGEROUS!!! NO THANKS!! GOD BLESS ALL

@SailingSweetRuca Год назад

No need to yell Frank :-) God has a plan for everyone. Why? You will have ask him. We appreciate your concern. Well wishes to you.

@peoplesambassadordm8279 2 года назад

Prefer piloting over sailing.. but sailing on a superyacht would b a thesis

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Sailing is just flying sideways through two different fluid densities ;-) We have never been superyacht sailing, but would imagine it like flying a cessna vs a 747.

@peoplesambassadordm8279 2 года назад

@@SailingSweetRuca I'll tell you one thing, as a kid I had no fear. Could swim out far n not worry bout anything... over the years swimming out has grown out of me therefore now I'd consider too many variables before swimming far out again as opposed to just being g at the beach every weekend. Sailing is same to me, had I the opportunity to sail probably it'd stick with me but now I have a fear in the dark on these small yachts bumping into objects in the night,🤷‍♂️saw that on a channel two days ago where they bumped into something but luckily it didn't puncture their hull .... I give it to yall sailors yall brave💪💪💪

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Life can be unexpected no matter what you do!

@caribbeanchild 2 года назад

Rogue Orca? Ther's a crazy pod around that area. They don't like boats.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Could be? Only one hit, but you never know. We have heard they are out on the prowl again, scary stuff for sailors!

@afloatinawoodenboat 2 года назад

Wow, I’m so glad you’re alright.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Thanks Kids!!!

@taffythegreat1986 2 года назад

I know how you feel. I remember going surfing years ago. I had a long board and as I was about to surf in towards the shore. Then all of a sudden, something twatted the back of my board. My first thoughts was, that I hit another surfer. There was nothing submerged as well. As it was wintertime, there were only a few of us in the water. We was well spread apart. To this day I still don’t know what it was. . Another surfer who was about 100 yds away. Looked over at me. As to say he saw something that I didn’t. I never got to ask him as he left well before I did.

@SailingSweetRuca 2 года назад

Scary stuff Taffy. Weird feeling never knowing! Glad you are safe.